Myofascial Technique

Myofascial Pain

Before you rush into a stretching program for your myofascial pain be aware of what myofascial pain is, what helps, and what is likely to aggravate it.

What is Myofascial Pain

Myofascial pain is a common source of pain resulting from trigger points that is often seen by chiropractors. In spite of evidence and substantial literature on the identification of trigger points, they often go undiagnosed by physicians and physical therapists. This can eventually lead to chronic pain. Myofascial pain can be the cause of jaw pain, shoulder or neck pain, hip or back pain, or pain in the extremities.

Myofascial pain resulting from trigger points is usually the result of muscle overload, either due to acute trauma, poor postures, or repetitive movements that place abnormal stress on particular muscles. The theory is that if normal healing does not take place, that sensitization of pain receptors can become prolonged causing increases in local tenderness and often a referred pain. This sensitization can also occur at the level of the spinal cord causing a hypersensitivity to stimuli of less intensity.

What is a Trigger Point

A trigger point is a nodule within a taught band in an affected muscle. Pressure on this tender point causes a reproduction of the patient's pain and there is often weakness and a limitation in the muscles stretching range of motion. One theory on trigger points and myofascial pain suggest that trigger points occur at motor end plates where hyperexcitable nerve endings release excessive acetylcholine. This results in prolonged muscle fibre contractions because of excessive calcium intracellularly. These muscle fibers contract around nearby blood vessels causing a local hypoxia so the contracting muscle fibers become deficient in oxygen.

Symptoms of Myofascial Pain

A typical characteristic of myofascial pain is limitation in a muscle's stretch range of motion. Pain increases as it is stretched. This is usually worse first thing in the morning. Patients also complain of weakness. Muscles become accustomed to working within pain limits and will only contract below the pain threshold. Patients with chronic myofascial pain often suffer from depression and sleep disturbances. This also lowers the pain threshold.

dry needling followed by stretching by a chiropractor trained in acupuncture

massage by licinsed therapist

contract/relax techniques instructed by a chiropractor or massage therapist

rest

heat combined with slow stretching

short bouts of light exercise as prescribed by your chiropractor

Any of the above modalities followed by stretching is more effective than stretching alone when trying to manage a myofascial pain syndrome. Stretching alone may in certain instances increase trigger point sensitivity. It is important that your physical therapist determine the cause of your myofascial pain, whether it be postural, or work related. If the mechanical cause is addressed only then can treatment be long lasting.

Medications for Myofascial Pain

Your family doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatories, antidepressants, muscle relaxants, or medication to help you sleep. If you are investigating alternatives in the treatment of myofascial pain be sure to mention them to your doctor as certain herbs, juices, and supplements can interact adversely or affect the absorption of various medications.

Diagnosis of Myofascial Pain Syndrome

If you are experiencing what you believe to be a myofascial pain syndrome see your chiropractor or family physician for a full evaluation. Many of the symptoms of myofascial pain are identical or similar to those of other conditions so it is important to rule those out before embarking on treatment for myofascial pain.

After ruling out more serious conditions your family doctor or chiropractor will determine the source of your pain by palpating for trigger points by applying pressure to the muscles and feeling for tension and nodules. These trigger points may respond to the pressure by twitching and referring pain along specific patterns of distribution.